President Barack Obama announced his endorsement for Washington, D.C. Democratic mayoral candidate Muriel Bowser on Monday.

“As we continue our efforts to move our country’s economy forward, I know I’ll be able to count on Muriel to expand opportunity for all,” Obama said in the statement. “That’s why I’m asking for you to vote for her in the general election this November.”

According to a poll released Wednesday conducted by Economic Growth D.C., Ward 4 councilmember Bowser has amassed the support of 35 percent of voters. Fellow mayoral candidates, D.C. councilmember David Catania and former councilmember Carol Schwartz, both independents, followed behind with 27 percent and 11 percent, respectively.

“I am extremely honored to receive President Obama’s endorsement. We share a progressive vision, believing that we only succeed when opportunity is available to everyone,” Bowser said in a press release. “If the residents of the District of Columbia elect me to be their next mayor on November 4th, I will emulate the President by bringing people together to find solutions to our toughest challenges.”

Obama praised Bowser for entering into a career in politics from a middle-class background, as he did.

“I am proud to endorse Democratic Councilmember Muriel Bowser in her mayoral election bid. She is a champion for working and middle-class families, and a passionate proponent of Washington, D.C.,” Obama said in the statement.

Georgetown University College Democrats Chair Chandini Jha (COL ’16) thought that their similarity in upbringing could have motivated Obama to choose to endorse her.

“I think to him, perhaps, Muriel Bowser, coming from the, starting from the beginning, without having any political dynasty she’s following and not having any big city politics, or machine politics, kind of echoes Obama’s story of coming from working-class America to a single mother, and then being the president of the United States,” Jha said.

Jha added that she thought the endorsement would be a significant help to Bowser’s campaign.

“I think it’s more of a symbolic gesture than anything, but it’s a symbolic gesture for Obama that can have real results in this race. Like it’s definitely going to help voter turnout for Muriel Bowser,” Jha said.